Tip of the Day 6/20/11

By now you probably have your summer vacation trip planned, but have you really "planned" for a great trip?  After choosing your destination, there are still plenty of things to do to make the trip an awesome experience for everyone.  This week will look at the ways you can have a relaxing, stress-free vacation that will Dee-Clutter your mind.  Online sites for booking discount trips are great, but be sure you read all the information completely before hitting that confirm key.  Once you have hit the key there really is no turning back.  Week after week I read a column in the Travel Section of the Chicago Tribune where people write in and ask for help to fix a problem because they booked on one of the online sites and did not fully read, or understand, what they were agreeing to.  When planning an extensive, and expensive, trip your safest course of action is a Travel Agent.  Unlike the days when I was an agent years ago there are booking fees now, but it is so worth it for the peace of mind that comes by using a professional to plan a trip that may be a once in a lifetime opportunity.  There are many reputable agencies including AAA which can help you plan a car trip as well as air, train, or ship.  Be realistic in your plans.  Always plan for unexpected delays.  We all want to stay until the last minute, but it is better to take an extra days vacation and give yourself plenty of travel time rather than spending a stressful time in the airport or on the highway thinking, "I HAVE to be back at work at 8:00AM tomorrow!"  By allowing yourself the extra time you might even be able to take advantage of the common offer of free air miles or a free ticket from the airlines when they overbook (they all do!) by giving up your seat/seats for a later flight. This is not a good thing to attempt with small children to entertain, but with teenagers or just adults it is a great way to earn a free flight.  So start your planning with a practical time schedule and a secure way of booking the trip.